Internal-combustion engine



G. H. GRUSS. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE'L APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1919.

Patented May 25, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- ATTORNEYS.

G. H. GRUSS.

Patented May 25,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- INVENTOR GeoryeJZ Grass dw fwmz ATTORNEYS UNITEDSTA'l Ed tdli l ltl GEORGE H. GRUSS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Application filed April 16,

To all 107107771 it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. Gauss, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an internal combustion engine and particularly to an en gine of the two'cycle type.

One, of the objects of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine of the two-cycle type in which the cylinder or cylinders employed are mounted to oscillate during the turning movement of the crank shaft.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide two inlet valves, one of which is automatically opened during the compression stroke of the piston while the other is mechanically opened at the end of the firing stroke.

Another object of the invention is to provide means actuated by the oscillating move ment of the cylinder for opening the last named inlet valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jacketed cylinder structure which permits cooling of the cylinder by means of the incoming explosive mixture and alsoair cooling of the cylinder by an air current induced by the exhaust gases.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the engine, partly in section.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same partly in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates a base member in whichis journaled, as at 2, a crank shaft 3. Secured. to the base member or formed integral therewith, as here shown, are a pair of vertically extending frame sections 3 and l, between which is mounted a cylinder The cylinder proper is provided with a head member 6 at its upper end and with a stuliing gland 7 at the lower end, Reciprocally mounted within the cylinder is a pistonmember 8 which divides the cylinder into a firing chamber and a compression chamber, said Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

1919. Serial No. 290,427.

chambers being respectively shown at 9 and 10.

Extending through the stuffing gland 7 is a piston rod 11, which is connected with the crank shaft by means of a bearing member 12. Surrounding the cylinder proper is a jacket member 13. This jacket member is inter-spaced with relation to the cylinder and therefore forms an annular chamber 14L about the cylinder, which is in communication with the compression chamber 10, said communication being obtained by forming a space between the lower end ofthe cylinder and the stuffing gland or by providing ports 15, as here shown. The cylinder is also provided with an exterior jacket member 16 which is secured to the inner jacket member 13 by means of a series of screws 17. A second annular chamber is thus formed, through which the exhaust gases are adapted to discharge and through which the cooling air is admitted, as will hereinafter be described. The cylinder proper is in this instance so mounted that an oscillating movement will be transmitted thereto during the turning movement of the crank shaft. This is accomplished by supporting the cylinder in a trunnion mounting, generally indicated at 18. This meant ing consists of a hollow pin 19 which e2;- tends through the head member 6. head member is freely turnable with relation to the pin while the pin proper rigidly secured in the frame sections and 4: by means of nuts 20 and 21. The explosive mixture employed is admitted to the cylinder through the hollow pin 19 and is obtained from any suitable source, or as here shown, by employing a carbureter 22. This carbureter may be of standard construction and is .in this instance secured to a projecting end 23 formed on the bearing or trunnion pin 19.

Carried by the head member 6 are a pair of inlet valves generally indicated at an and 25. One of the valves, or that shown at 2%, is automatically actuated while the opposite valve shown at 25 ismechanically operated, as will hereinafter be described.

Formed in the head for the reception of the valve 24 is a chamber 26. This chamber comnumicates at its lower, end with the annular chamber 14 formed about the cylinder while the opposite end of the chamber communicates with a passage 27,which in turn communicates with the passage The l held against their seats by means of the springs shown at 28. The valve 25, as previously stated, is mechanically opened. This is accomplished in the following manner: By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the oscillating movement transmitted to the cylinder during the turning movement of the crank shaft will cause the cylinder to assume two extreme positions, sa1d positions being shown by the dotted lines indicated at 3---3 and 4-4.

The outer end'of the valve stem 25 will therefore swing on an are generally indicated at 55 and it is therefore possible to employ thismovement for the purpose of mechanically opening the valve. This is accomplished by providing a holder such as shown at 29. This holder is supported by means of a rod 30 which is secured be tween the upper ends of the frame sections 3 and 4, directly forward of the upper end of the cylinder. Slidably mounted in the holder is a plunger 31 which is normally held in the projected position shown by means of a spring 32. Swinging movement of the upper end of the valve stem along the are indicated by lines 5-5 in the direction of arrow a, will cause the upper end of the valve stem to engage the end of the plunger and depress the same while swinging movement of the valve stem along the arc 5-5 in the direction opposite to arrow a will cause depression of the valve stem and opening of the valve carried thereby. Depression of the valve stem takes place about the time that the exhaust ports, hereinafter to be described, are opened and the explosive mixture thus admitted, serves two functions; first, that of charging the cylinder; secondly, that of scavenging the cylinder of burnt gases which may still remain. It also serves another function, to-wit, that of partially cooling the upper end of the cylinder, as will hereinafter be described.

The general operationof the engine will be as follows: During the revolution or turning movement of the crank shaft, it can readily be seen that a reciprocal move ment will be transmitted to the piston. Similarly, that an oscillating movement will be transmitted to the cylinder, due to the trunnion mounting 19 provided. Upward movement of the piston during the compression of a charge causes a vacuum in the lower chamber 10 and in the annular jacket space 13. This suction opens the automatic valve 24, thereby permitting an explosive earse? mixture to enter through the hollow pin 19, passage 27, and chamber 26, from where it passes downwardly into the annular jacket space 13 and the lower end of the cylinder or the chamber 10.

Firing of the charge contained in the cylinder causes a reverse movement of the piston. This in turn compresses the charge previously admitted and expels the same entirely from the compression chamber into the annular chamber as the piston during its travel, practically engages the stufing gland 7 when the lowermost position of the stroke is obtained. The position assumed by the cylinder during this cycle of the operation is approximately that shown by the dotted lines The stem of the valve 2 3 is therefore directly below the plunger 81 or in a position where it will be depressed the moment the cylinder swings toward its central position or the dotted line position shown at line 33. Depression of the valve by engagement with the plunger 31will therefore open the same and permit the charge under compression contained in the annular chamber 14, to be bypassed into the upper end of the cylinder. This is permitted as valve 25 is provided with a central passage 34 and a port which registers with a port 36 formed in the head when the valve is depressed. Port 36 communicates at its lower end with the annular chamber 14 and it can therefore readily be seen that the explosive charge under compression will be by-passed through valve 25 directly into the upper end of the cylinder where it serves the three functions previously specified; first, charging of the cylinder; sec-.

ondly, scavenging the same; and third, partially cooling of the cylinder. That is, the cooling action is obtained, due to the fact that the incoming gases are cooler than the walls of the cylinder and also due to the fact that any charge under compression, when suddenly expanded, has a tendency to absorb heat.

The charge thus admitted is compressed during the return movement of the piston and a new charge is again admitted to the lower end of the cylinder by means of l he annular chamber 14 and inlet valve 24. The cycle of operation is thus continued over and over and a two-cycle effect is obtained. The exhaust ports, generally indicated at 40, are located at a point where they will be uncovered by the piston when this reaches the lowermost point of its stroke. The ports are radially arranged around the cylinder and each port terminates in a nozzle 41 which passes through theannular chamber and the jacket member 1'3. The nozzles are here turned downwardly at approximately right angles into the exterior jacket chamber formed between the jackets 13 and 16 and the force of the gas thus discharged by means of a series of radially disposed nozzles in a downward direction, causes an induction action which draws in cool air through the upper end of the exterior annular chamber. The air thus induced serves two functions; first, that of cooling the upper end of the cylinder; and secondly, that of mixing with the exhaust gases and thereby reducing the temperature of the same.

Three distinct cooling actions are therefore obtained during the operation of the engine. First, the incoming gases introduced to the annular chamber 14:, and the lower end of the cylinder during the compression stroke of the piston produces the first cooling action. Second, sudden expansion of the gases, when introduced into the upper end of the cylinder produces a cooling action, while the final cooling action is obtained by the induced flow of air exterior of the jacket 13when the exhaust gases are discharging through the nozzles 40.

The several cooling actions obtained are of great importance as they eliminate the use of cooling ribs or the employment of blowers and the like.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of the holder 28 and the plunger 29 supported thereby. The mechanism comprising the holder 28 and the plunger 29 is stationary with relation to the cylinder and as this is oscillating during the operation of the engine, it can readily be seen that the oscillating movement may be employed for the purpose of opening and closing the valve 25, the time period of opening with relation to the movement of the piston being regulated entirely by adjusting the holder upon the pivotal mounting provided at 30.

By referring to the sectional view shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the upper end of the piston is cup-shaped. shaped section is resorted to to reduce the clearance space to a minimum. This structure may, however, be varied in different instances, as may other detailed features of the general structure shown.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that various changes in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent in- 1. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder mounted for oscillatory movement, an inlet valve in said cylinder, means for delivering an explosive mixture thereto and means actuated by the oscillating movement This cupof the cylinder for mechanically opening the valve, said means comprising a holder positioned adjacent one side of the cylinder, a plunger slidably mounted in said' holder, and a stem on the valve adapted to be depressed by the plunger when the cylinder is swinging in one direction, said stem also adapted to depress the plunger when the cylinder is swinging in the opposite direction. I

2. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder mounted for oscillatory movement, an inlet valve in said cylinder, means for delivering an explosive mixture thereto, means actuated by the oscillating movement of the cylinder for meclmnically opening the valve, said means comprising a holder positioned adjacent one side of the cylinder, a plunger slidably mounted in said holder, a stem on the valve adapted to be depressed by the plunger when the cylinder is swinging in one direction, said stem also adapted to depress the plunger when the cylinder is swinging in the opposite direction, a pivotal mounting for the holder, and means for adjusting the position of the holder on said pivotal mounting.

3. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder, a head member on the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod, a crank shaft connected therewith, a stu'liing gland through which the piston rod extends, forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the head of the cylinder, one communicating with the annular chamber and one with the annular chamber and the upper end of the cylinder, and means for delivering an explosive mixture to the first named inlet valve.

4. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder, a head member on the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod, a crank shaft con-- nected therewith, a stuihng gland through which the piston rod extends, forming-a clo-- sure for the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, ports formed in the lower end of the cylinder, communicating with said annular chamber, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the cylinder head, a communication formed between one of said valves and the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder, a port formed in the cylinder hea d, communicating with the lower end of the cylinder and the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the second inlet valve, and means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named inlet valve to the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder.

In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder, a head member on the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod, a crank shaft connected therewith, a stulling gland through which the piston rod extends, forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, ports formed in the lower end of the cylinder, communicating with said annular chamber, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the cylinder head, a communication formed between one of said valves and the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder, a port formed in the cylinder head, communicating with the lower end of the cylinder and the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the second inlet valve, means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named inlet Valve when the piston is traveling upwardly on its compression stroke, said piston adapted to compress the mixture admitted during the firing stroke, and means 'for mechanically opening the second named inlet valve to admit the mixture under compression into the upper end of the cylinder.

6. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder, a head member on the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod, a crank shaft connected therewith, a stufling gland through which the piston rod extends, forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber .thereabout, ports formedin the lower end of the cylinder, communicating with said annular chamber, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the cylinder head, a communication formed between one of said valves and the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder, a port formed in the cylinder head, communicating with the lower end of the cylinder and the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the sec ond inlet valve, means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named inlet valve to the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member secured exterior of the first named jacket member and forming an annular chamber thereabout, said jacket member being open at both ends, a series of exhaust ports formed in the cylinder, adapted to be uncovered by the piston movement, a series of downwardly projecting nozzles mounted between theexterior and the inner jacket, said nozzles communicating with the exhaust ports at one end so that the gases, when exhausting, may be discharged downwardly through the annular space formed between the jacket members to induce a flow of cold air through the upper end of said annular space.

7. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder, a head member on the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston'rod, a crank shaft connected therewith, a stuffing gland through which the piston rod extends, forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, ports formed in the lower end of the cylinder, communicating with said annular chamber, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the cylinder head, a communication formed between one of said valves and the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder, a port formed in the cylinder head, communicating with the lower end of the cylinder and the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the second inlet valve, means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named in let valve when the piston is traveling upwardly on its compression stroke, said piston adapted to compress the mixture admitted during the firing stroke, means for mechanically opening the second named inlet valve to admit the mixture under compression into the upper end of the cylinder, a jacket member secured exterior of the first named jacket member and forming an annular chamber thereabout, said jacket member being open at both ends, a series of exhaust ports formed in the cylinder, adapted to be uncovered by the piston movement, a series of downwardly projecting nozzles mounted between the exterior and the inner jacket, said nozzles communicating with the exhaust ports at one end so that the gases, when exhausting, may be discharged downwardly through the annular space formed between the jacket members to induce a flow a of cold air through the upper end of said annular space.

8. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder mounted for oscillatory movement, a head member on said cylinder, a stufiing gland forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with a piston and extending through the stuffing gland, a crank shaft, a connection between the piston rod and the crank shaft, ajacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, ports forming a communication between said annular jacket chamber and the lower end of the cylinder to divide the cylinder into a firing chamber and a compression chamber, a pair of inlet valves'mounted in the head member,

a chamber formed in the head member for the reception of one of said inlet valves, said chamber communicating with the annular jacket chamber, means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named valve to the chamber in which it is mounted and to the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder during the compression stroke of the piston, said piston adapted to compress the explosive mixture after sion during the firing stroke, a port formed in the head member also communicating with the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the second named inlet valve and said second named inlet valve communicating with the upper end of the cylinder to admit the compressed explosive mixture thereto, and means actuated by the oscillating movement of the cylinder for mechanically opening and closing said second named valve.

9. In a two-cycle engine, a cylinder mounted for oscillatory movement, a head member on said cylinder, a stuffing gland forming a closure for the lower end of the cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with a piston and extending through the stuffing gland, a crank shaft, a connection between the piston rod and the crank shaft, a jacket member surrounding the cylinder and forming an annular chamber thereabout, ports forming a communication between said annular jacket chamber and the lower end of the cylinder to divide the cylinder into a firing chamber and a compression chamber, a pair of inlet valves mounted in the head member, a chamber formed in the head member for the reception of one of said inlet valves, said chamber communicating with the annular jacket chamber, means for admitting an explosive mixture through the first named valve to the chamber in which it is mounted and to the annular chamber and the lower end of the cylinder during the compression stroke of the piston, said piston adapted to compress the explosive mixture after admission during the firing stroke, a port formed in the head member also communicating with the annular chamber, said port adapted to be opened and closed by the second named inlet valve and said second named inlet valve communicating with the upper end of the cylinder to admit the compressed explosive mixture thereto, means actuated by the oscillating movement of the cylinder for mechanically opening and closing said second named valve, a plurality of exhaust portsiiormed in the cylinder, adapted to be uncovered by the piston when this reaches the lower end of its stroke, a series of nozzles communicating with said ports, an exterior jacket member secured to the first named jacket member, forming an annular chamber thereabout, said jacket member being open at both ends and said nozzle projecting downwardly into said annular chamber to permit the exhaust gases, when discharging, to induce a downward current of cold air through the exterior acket member.

10. An internal combustion engine, including a cylinder having a trunnion head at one end, a piston, a piston rod passing through the opposite end, a crank and shaft with which the piston rod is connected, an annular chamber surrounding the cylinder having ports opening into the bottom of the cylinder, an automatic valve in the head,

means to supply gas therethrough into the annular chamber and the cylinder below the piston to be compressed therein by the outward stroke of the piston, and a mechanically actuated valve controlling a port from said annular chamber to the cylinder above the piston, said valve being opened to admit a compressed charge from below to above the piston.

11. In an internal combustion engine of the character described, a cylinder, a piston, piston rod and crank with which the piston rod connects, trunnions in the opposite head about which the cylinder oscillates, a supply port and an automatic inlet valve in the head, an annular chamber surrounding the cylinder and having ports connecting with the lower end of the cylinder and into the upper end of which the inlet port opens, a mechanically actuated valve connecting the annular chamber with the cylinder space above the piston, and an open ended chamber inclosing the annular chamber and cylinder, with ports and nozzles exposed by the piston on its arrival at the lower end of its stroke to conduct the exhaust gases from the cylinder into and through said outer cylinder.

In testimony whereoi I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE H. GRUSS. Witnesses JoHN H. Humane, W. W. HEALEY. 

